80% of Workers Denied Flexible Working Arrangements
22 Mar 2006
Many working mothers face 'impossible choices'
Congress has slammed intransigent employers after new data showed that 80% of the Irish workforce is denied flexible working arrangements.
Congress Assistant General Secretary Sally Anne Kinahan said: "Employer intransigence is leading to a high female 'dropout rate' as many working mothers face impossible choices in trying to reconcile work and family life. Happy Mothers' Day indeed!
"Despite repeated promises on the introduction of greater flexibility, this has not happened. It appears the only effective way to ensure it does is to make flexible working a statutory right - which Congress will be demanding in the current round of social partnership talks," said Ms Kinahan.
The Central Statistics Office most recent Quarterly National Household Survey, published this month, reveals that some 80% of the workforce has no discretion over start and finish times to the working day.
In fact, only 2% (two) enjoy such flexibility, with a further 18% availing of a range of flexible working provisions. The CSO survey covers Quarter 2, 2004.
There are currently some 700,000 working people with children of pre-school, or school going age, along with thousands more providing care for aged or disabled family members.
According to Ms Kinahan, these latest figures refute repeated employer claims that the majority of Irish workers benefit from flexible working arrangements.
"Congress is deeply worried at the alarming picture that has emerged from these CSO figures. Although the benefits of flexible working options have been repeatedly demonstrated, it appears the employers have not yet got the message.
"As a result, many working families - particularly working women - face impossible choices. And this impacts quite severely on women of child rearing and child bearing age, precisely the sector of the workforce that most requires flexible options.
"As a result skilled and trained women are forced to prioritise family over work. The long-term impact is to deepen gender inequality as they either leave employment, or choose lower-paid part-time options.
"Enlightened self-interest alone should inform employers that driving skilled workers from the workforce, at a time of labour shortages, is not exactly a bright idea," Ms Kinahan concluded.
ends